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Related Concept Videos

Mechanisms of Membrane Domain Formation00:59

Mechanisms of Membrane Domain Formation

Different physical properties of lipids and proteins allow them to localize and form distinct islands or domains in the membrane. Some membrane domains are formed due to protein-protein interactions, whereas others are formed due to the presence of specific lipids such as sphingolipids and sterols—for example, large proteins, such as bacteriorhodopsin, aggregate and create distinct domains.
Another mechanism for membrane domain formation involves membrane proteins interacting with cytoskeletal...
Membrane Fluidity01:26

Membrane Fluidity

Membrane fluidity is explained by the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane, which describes the plasma membrane structure as a mosaic of components—including phospholipids, cholesterol, proteins, and carbohydrates—that gives the membrane a fluid character.
Mosaic nature of the membrane
The mosaic characteristic of the membrane helps the plasma membrane remain fluid. The integral proteins and lipids exist as separate but loosely-attached molecules in the membrane. The membrane is a relatively...
Membrane Fluidity01:23

Membrane Fluidity

Cell membranes are composed of phospholipids, proteins, and carbohydrates loosely attached to one another through chemical interactions. Molecules are generally able to move about in the plane of the membrane, giving the membrane its flexible nature called fluidity. Two other features of the membrane contribute to membrane fluidity: the chemical structure of the phospholipids and the presence of cholesterol in the membrane.
Membrane Domains01:18

Membrane Domains

The membrane domains concentrate specific lipids and proteins at one place within the membrane, which helps in cell signaling, adhesion, and other critical cellular processes. These domains can differ in size, composition, function, and lifespan.
Protein Domains
The membrane comprises a group of distinct proteins responsible for carrying out a cell's specific function. For example, the plasma membrane of the human sperm, or a single germ cell, contains a unique set of proteins in the anterior...
Fluid Mosaic Model01:19

Fluid Mosaic Model

Scientists identified the plasma membrane in the 1890s and its principal chemical components (lipids and proteins) by 1915. The model for plasma membrane structure, proposed in 1935 by Hugh Davson and James Danielli, was the first model to be widely accepted in the scientific community. The model was based on the plasma membrane's "railroad track" appearance in early electron micrographs. Davson and Danielli theorized that the plasma membrane's structure resembled a sandwich with the analogy of...
SNAREs and Membrane Fusion01:43

SNAREs and Membrane Fusion

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 27, 2026

Preparation of Janus Particles and Alternating Current Electrokinetic Measurements with a Rapidly Fabricated Indium Tin Oxide Electrode Array
09:55

Preparation of Janus Particles and Alternating Current Electrokinetic Measurements with a Rapidly Fabricated Indium Tin Oxide Electrode Array

Published on: June 23, 2017

Interactions between Janus particles and membranes.

Hong-ming Ding1, Yu-qiang Ma

  • 1National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures and Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China.

Nanoscale
|November 26, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Janus particles interact with cell membranes via insertion or engulfment. Particle properties and orientation influence these interactions, guiding nanoparticle design for drug delivery.

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 27, 2026

Preparation of Janus Particles and Alternating Current Electrokinetic Measurements with a Rapidly Fabricated Indium Tin Oxide Electrode Array
09:55

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Published on: June 23, 2017

Detection of Detergent-sensitive Interactions Between Membrane Proteins
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Published on: March 7, 2018

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Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Nanotechnology
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Understanding nanoparticle-cell membrane interactions is crucial for effective drug and gene delivery systems.
  • Janus particles, with distinct surface properties, offer unique possibilities for targeted delivery applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the interaction mechanisms between Janus particles and cell membranes.
  • To explore how Janus particle properties and initial orientation affect membrane interactions.
  • To examine Janus particle behavior within lipid rafts on cell membranes.

Main Methods:

  • Dissipative particle dynamics simulations were employed to model Janus particle-membrane interactions.
  • Systematic variation of Janus particle properties (e.g., area, hydrophilic coverage) and orientation was performed.
  • Simulations included membranes with and without lipid rafts to assess environmental influence.

Main Results:

  • Two primary interaction modes were identified: insertion and engulfment.
  • Janus particle engulfment is favored by proximity of the hydrophilic part to the membrane, larger surface area, and higher hydrophilic coverage.
  • Janus particles engulfed by lipid rafts showed a propensity for easier detachment from the membrane.

Conclusions:

  • Janus particle-membrane interactions are complex and depend significantly on particle characteristics and membrane composition.
  • The findings suggest strategies for designing Janus particles that can translocate cell membranes.
  • This research provides valuable insights for optimizing nanoparticle design in drug delivery applications.